Council meetings could be broadcast live on the Web after members voiced concerns that minutes were not being fully recorded.

An officers group has been set up in North Tyneside to look into ways of using new technology to give accurate accounts of discussions or stream live footage of sittings.

The move follows a heated council meeting earlier this week in which officials were accused of missing questions and names out of the minutes.

Now councillors have agreed to look into the latest technology to find out if meetings can be broadcast across the Web to give more people a chance of seeing what goes on.

Liberal Democrat councillor David Ord, who raised the matter, said: "We're pleased that the council has now agreed to move forward and make use of the technology which is already being used by many other councils.

"If some of the suggestions go ahead the public will be able to access council meetings through the internet and a proper record will be available."

Council meetings are already broadcast over the internet at Newcastle City Council after webcams were installed in the civic chamber in 2002.

The move is also being supported by the North Tyneside Labour Party which believes it will make councillors more accountable.

Camperdown councillor Jim Allan said: " At the moment only the decisions are recorded and none of the debate which could put the outcome in context.

"I think it's a great idea to broadcast our meetings over the Web. It's hard to get people to come to the Town Hall but I think people would be happy to tune in at home, particularly the elderly."